Rio Ferdinand shares details of Man United talk with Thomas Tuchel and makes next job prediction
Rio Ferdinand has joked that he asked Thomas Tuchel about joining Manchester United when catching up with the Bayern Munich boss ahead of the Champions League semi-final - and backed the former Chelsea manager to field some 'big offers' in the summer.
United legend Ferdinand is part of the TNT Sports pundit team covering the second leg of the final four clash between Real Madrid and Bayern. The score was locked at 2-2 from the first leg with the winners facing Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley Stadium.
During the build-up to the game, Ferdinand was seen greeting Tuchel as he had his pre-match walk. The former defender was seen whispering something in the manager’s ear, with Tuchel then replying before both shared a laugh.
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When Ferdinand was asked what Tuchel said, Ferdinand revealed: “I just said good luck to him, he’s so relaxed, he’s such a calm character, you’d never know it’s a semi-final and one of his last opportunities to win a trophy.”
Fellow pundit Steve McManaman then asked: “And what about the Manchester United job?” To which Ferdinand replied: “That was the final part of the talk, where are you going?”
Ferdinand later added: “I think he's still got enough in the tank. No matter what happens today, he'll still have some big offers. But listen, if he manages to get to the final and get his hand on the trophy just behind you there, I think the world's his oyster again. He can say what he wants and do what he wants.”
The interaction between Tuchel and Ferdinand comes amid growing speculation around the future of Erik ten Hag and who could possibly replace him at Old Trafford should he leave in the summer. Latest reports claim that United are in contact with Tuchel who will leave Bayern at the end of the season.
Speaking ahead of the game against Real Madrid, Tuchel refused to comment on a potential return to the Premier League but did admit that he loved his time in England. “I’d rather not answer but it is no secret that I loved it at Chelsea, I loved it in England.
“I loved it in the Premier League for sure, it was a very, very special time and I remember it very well.”
United have also been linked with a potential move for current England manager Gareth Southgate. It has however been claimed that Tuchel is at the top of the list of potential replacements for Ten Hag.